Spiny tatarnik: medicinal properties and contraindications

The history of the tatar is fanned by myths and legends. In Christianity, the thorns of this plant symbolize the torment of Christ on the crucifix, and among the Scots it embodies the willingness to repulse the enemy. Therefore, in ancient times, one of the knightly orders was named in honor of the Tatarnik. By the way, the coat of arms of Scotland is still adorned with a thorny burdock. But for summer residents, the plant for its ability to quickly populate fertile soils earned an unkind reputation. Therefore, tatarnik is considered rather a weed than a useful crop.

The people did not skimp on well-aimed names that best reflect the unusual external characteristics of the plant: an arthropod, thistle, burdock, and thistle. Although most private homeowners make considerable efforts to get rid of a prickly neighbor, if necessary, they willingly use its healing properties. Tatarnik is very popular among herbalists, its components are part of many herbal remedies and cosmetics. Therefore, do not go past a plant that can bring great benefits. It's time to learn about the properties of prickly tatarnik and options for its use.

Chemical composition

Although prickly tartar has not been fully studied to date, it has been established in the last century that it contains many useful substances. Modern scientists pay close attention to this plant, exploring its potential in laboratories. Now we can say with confidence that all the ground parts of the burdock are saturated with vitamins and mineral elements. The main active components of the composition:

1. Vitamin C is found mainly in leaves and stems. This element, better known as ascorbic acid, participates in the processes of hematopoiesis, strengthens the body's immune forces, and ensures the normal state of connective tissue.
2. Inulin also increases the protective properties of the immune system, cleanses the body of toxic products and free radicals, regulates lipid metabolism, and improves intestinal motility.
3. Saponins are a whole group of substances that have a positive effect on the functioning of the body. It is well known that saponins have a diuretic and laxative effect, have anticarcinogenic activity, and contribute to the discharge of sputum.
4. Alkaloids stimulate digestion, improve respiratory functions, have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and nervous system.
5. Coumarins have become famous as natural anticoagulants. These substances inhibit the formation of blood clots, which makes prickly thistle useful in the treatment of thrombophlebitis.
6. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants. By neutralizing the presence of free radicals, they prevent the development of oncology. In addition, this group of substances has a choleretic, antispasmodic and diuretic property.
7. Mineral elements are also found in large quantities in the tatarnik. Such a valuable composition of the prickly representative of wild flora attracts traditional healers. The plant has long been widely used in the home treatment of simple intestinal disorders and serious diseases such as tuberculosis and cancer.

Interesting to know! Tatarnik is considered a good honey plant. Therefore, beekeepers try to put beehives next to the places where the burdock lives in the season of its flowering. Given that the flowering period lasts from July to September, in one season it is possible to collect tens of kilograms of valuable nectar.

How it looks and where it grows

Tatarnik belongs to the Astrov family. This biennial plant, under favorable conditions for its living, reaches up to 2.5 m in height. Very often, burdock forms impenetrable thorny thickets. Moreover, getting rid of it is very difficult, since an unpretentious plant quickly restores and expands its habitat. External characteristics of prickly tatarnik:

1. Stems erect and ribbed. They are covered with prickly processes 4-6 mm, and branch in the upper part.
2. The leaves are oblong, arranged alternately. The length of the leaf plates can reach 30 cm. A huge number of prickly spikes are scattered along the serrated edges of each sheet.
3. The root is shaped like a spindle. In the middle part it is enlarged, and narrows at the edges.
4. The flower of a burdock looks like a fleecy tuft. Gathering on the top of the plant, several flowers form a basket inflorescence of purple, purple and pink. In nature, there are specimens with single flowers. Tatarnik has a long flowering period, so it always attracts bees.
5. The fruit is an oblong achene. It ripens in the fall, expanding and sowing seeds into the soil.

Places of growth

The geography of distribution of prickly tatarnik is not limited to one climatic zone or a single hemisphere. The burdock feels great in the Canary Islands and in the African desert, in the foothills of the Caucasus and Siberia. The plant undemanding to life adapts to the most uncomfortable conditions. It can be found along roads, in wastelands, in ravines. Often a burdock settles in fields with cereals, loves to settle in open sunny meadows and meadows, as well as near human habitation.

Additional information: often prickly tartar is confused with thistle. Indeed, these two wild crops have a very similar structure to the leaves. But in other categories, these plants have nothing in common.

Collection and storage

Spiny thistle is a universal plant, because all its terrestrial parts and roots have healing properties. But the procurement of raw materials depends on the growing season. When collecting, it is also necessary to carry out a set of measures to preserve valuable material.

1. The roots are usually dug at the end of the growing season or during the appearance of foliage. Moreover, roots are useful only in plants of the first year of life.
2. The foliage is harvested at any time, but it is better to do this from the beginning of flowering to the appearance of achenes.
3. Inflorescences are collected together with foliage, and fruits with seeds are removed in the fall after their full ripening.

It is very important to follow the following simple recommendations when collecting:

1. Since the tatarnik is covered with thorns, it is better to prepare valuable material in leather gloves so as not to scratch your hands.
2. Cut the leaves with clippers or secateurs.
3. For medicinal purposes, select young leaves without damage.
4. Carefully put the collected raw materials into a cardboard box or basket. But at the same time, they cannot be wrinkled or tamped to save space.
5. Cut the flowers with scissors too. But for them it is advisable to use a different container. All spines also require removal.
6. Before drying, cut large leaves into several parts.
7. Put the processed plant material for drying under a canopy, but experienced herbalists believe that tatar is better to dry in the attic. There, the material is reliably protected from the sun and moisture, but will be constantly ventilated in a draft. Lay the plant cut into pieces in a thin layer on a piece of cloth or paper. Flowers can be dried without chopping.
8. The possibility of drying in an electric dryer at a temperature of 40–50 ° C is not ruled out. In particular, traditional healers recommend drying their roots in this way.
9. Store well-dried plant material in a cool but dry place. The shelf life of the leaves and inflorescences is one year, and the roots with seeds can be used for 3 years without worrying that they have lost their healing power.
10. After working with the calf, wash your hands thoroughly to wash off the bitterness from the juice of the plant.

An important point! In folk medicine, there are many recipes that involve the use of fresh leaves and flowers. They make tonic tea, infusions. The fresh juice of the plant is very popular. In official medicine, drugs are used that include tartar. These are dietary supplements, herbal preparations and plant extract.

The healing properties of prickly tatarnik

Despite its inhospitable appearance, prickly tatarnik is considered one of the best examples of medicinal plants. The chemical formula of the composition, harmoniously balanced by nature itself, meets many therapeutic goals. So, the plant is able to provide the following actions:

• antispasmodic;
• antioxidant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• wound healing;
• hypertensive;
• laxative;
• diuretic;
• anticonvulsant;
• painkiller;
• sedative;
• immunomodulatory;
• antibacterial.

The anticancer activity of the plant allows you to use it as a prophylactic that prevents the appearance of malignant neoplasms. Although pharmacy products, in particular tatarnik extract, are used more in official medicine, doctors recommend, in addition to the main therapy, medicines prepared according to traditional recipes. Prickly burdock is popular among those who want to lose weight. The excellent antioxidant abilities of the plant, combined with a moderate diuretic effect, help smooth weight loss.

Note! But even the presence of a large number of advantages can not turn a plant into a panacea for all diseases. Therefore, any formulations prepared from tatarnik should be taken only after the approval of the doctor.

Spiny tatarnik in folk medicine

As can be seen from the above advantages, the prickly tatarnik, when used correctly, is quite capable of accelerating recovery in the treatment of a variety of diseases. And from it you can cook not only medicines, but also add to salads, soups and other dishes. The plant is useful in the following diseases:

• hypotension;
• dermatitis;
• burns and other open wounds;
• furunculosis;
• pathology of the urinary system (cystitis, nephritis);
• inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract (pneumonia, bronchitis, acute respiratory viral infections);
• digestive upsets;
• constipation
• dysfunction of the liver and gall bladder;
• lichen and scabies;
• epilepsy.

Even completely healthy people should not pass this amazing plant. After all, tatarnik is able to make up for vitamin C deficiency, which is useful for immunity. It is no coincidence that patients in the rehabilitation period after operations are recommended to drink fortifying tea with the addition of tatar leaves or to add them to light salads to speed up recovery.

But the main advantage of a prickly plant is its ability to block DNA synthesis in the tissues of neoplasms. Therefore, today Tatarnik is of particular interest to professional physicians and healers precisely because of the high anticarcinogenic activity.

Remedy for sinusitis

The inflammatory process of the paranasal and frontal sinuses is dangerous because purulent contents through thin septa can penetrate the brain. And this is fraught with the most unpredictable consequences. In order to eliminate the focus of inflammation at the very initial stage of the pathological process, it is necessary to squeeze the juice from the fresh leaves of burdock, and then drop it in the nose instead of pharmacy drops. This simple remedy simultaneously removes swelling of the mucous membranes and fights inflammation. Within a few days of such treatment, sinusitis will pass without complications.

Infusion for colds

This is also a time-tested tool. The infusion is prepared from dried leaves of the hall. You need to take 15 g of plant material and a glass of boiling water.Connect both components, and then cover the container with the composition with a lid and wrap it tightly with a towel. The healing solution should be infused for exactly an hour, after which it should be filtered. Take the medicine for coughing, weakness, aching joints twice a day. A single dose - 1/2 cup of infusion.

Decoction for inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system

Grind dry leaves and inflorescences, mix. Take a full tablespoon of the received collection, pour 0.4 liters of boiling water. After that, immediately put the mixture on a slow fire and simmer it for a quarter of an hour. When the broth has cooled, take 120 ml before meals in an acute clinic twice a day.

Tonic drink

Quickly replenish vital energy will help tea made from 10 g of flowers and leaves of tatarnik. Raw plant materials must first be crushed into powder, and then brewed with boiling water like regular tea. Alternatively, you can take the powder inside, and then drink it with warm water.

Cancer prophylaxis

Today, this recipe is very popular, since oncological diseases beat all records by the number of deaths. The recipe is simple:

1. Take fresh leaves of tatarnik, chop them finely.
2. Then 1 tbsp. green mass pour boiling water.
3. Composition for 6 hours, then strain.
4. Replenish the volume of fluid to the original 200 ml.

Take the medicine 1/2 hour before a meal of 100 ml.

In oncological processes

Of course, not a single herb can completely cure cancer, but significantly improving the patient's condition and prolonging his life is a completely feasible task. For this purpose, you need to prepare a decoction of 5 tbsp. crushed raw materials and 1 liter of water. Boil the composition over low heat for no more than 10 minutes, then strain. When the solution cools down, give the patient 50 ml 3-4 times.

Pure prickly thistle juice will increase the vitality of weakened cancer patients. To do this, collect fresh leaves and pass them through a blender. Pressed plant juice to give 3 times for 1 tsp.

Honey medicine

Earlier it was mentioned that honey collected from flowers is no less valuable than the plant itself. Therefore, if you are lucky enough to get a fresh product, you should definitely preserve it for special occasions. Agrimony honey helps with a dry cough, cleanses the blood, strengthens the immune system. You need to make a cocktail of the following components:

• honey - 1 tbsp;
• water - 0.2 l;
• salt - on the tip of a knife.

Combine all ingredients, put the mixture on fire and bring to a boil. You can not boil the solution. When the drink has cooled slightly, strain. Take with acute manifestations of bronchitis and acute respiratory viral infections for 1 tsp. with a warm drink.

Honey inhalations are also great for coughing. But such procedures should not be carried away, because they can increase the dryness of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx.

Remedy for ulcers and boils

For external treatment, you need an infusion of powder prepared from different terrestrial parts of the plant of the hall. We need to take 1 tbsp. this mixture, pour boiling water (1 tbsp.). Infuse the solution for at least two hours. Then moisten a napkin or a piece of gauze in it and attach to the affected area. In the acute period, such lotions can be performed 3-4 times.

For the treatment of heart disorders

Of course, the treatment of serious problems in the work of the heart needs to be done for a long time and always with the professional support of doctors. But it is quite possible to slightly improve the general condition under intense loads at home, if there are harvested roots of prickly thistle. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Grind the roots in a coffee grinder.
2. Take 1 tbsp. vegetable powder, pour a glass of boiling water.
3. The solution is infused for at least 3 hours.
4. After the specified time, filter the infusion.

Take medicine for 1 tbsp. 3-4 times.

The course of treatment is 10 days. But after a five-day break, maintenance therapy can be continued.

Tonic infusion

Such a drink will help those who get tired quickly. A tonic drink is being prepared from tatarnik flower baskets. You can use both fresh and dried raw materials. For maximum therapeutic effect, you need to chop the flowers. Then 1 tbsp. brew 0.2 l of boiling water.Cover the cup with a towel and leave the drink for an hour. Then strain the solution. Take 50 ml before meals. Due to the presence of ascorbic acid in the hall, the drink obtained in such a simple way activates brain activity and increases the overall tone.

Intestinal Disorders

This simple recipe will always help with colitis and diarrhea. Preparing a medicine from dried roots in the amount of 2 tbsp. The plant base should be poured into a saucepan, add 1/2 water, put on a slow fire. When the composition boils, cover the dishes with a lid and keep it on fire for 10 minutes. When the broth cools down a little, strain it.

With a pronounced clinic, the medicine can be taken up to 6 times in 50 ml. Continue treatment until the negative symptoms disappear completely.

Types of healing compounds

Spiny tatarnik is a universal plant. On its basis, completely different dosage forms can be prepared at home for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies. But with all the variety of options, classic drug options are in great demand.

Infusion

All extracts from the hall are prepared in almost the same way: fresh or dried in accordance with all the rules, pour raw water with boiling water, and then insist. The difference is only in the time of exposure (exposure) of the infusion and the dosage of the ingredients. But in the classic version, for the infusion, 1-2 tbsp will be required. vegetable raw materials and a glass of boiling water. Depending on the therapeutic task, the solution is infused for one or several hours, sometimes withstand a day. A concentrated infusion should be taken in 1 tbsp., After a short period of infusion, a single dose of up to 100 ml of the drug is allowed.

Tincture

A preparation prepared according to this recipe will help in the treatment of psoriasis, lichen, eczema. To do this, you need to collect fresh inflorescences of tatarnik, pour into a jar. Pour plant materials with 70% purified alcohol or high-quality vodka. Insist the medicine in complete darkness for 30-40 days. Shake the jar every day. When the tincture is ready, it needs to moisten gauze or discs and make lotions on problem areas.

Decoction

This dosage form is more in demand in the treatment of colds and cough.

In this case, you need a dried root that needs to be chopped. Then pour 30 g of powder into 1 liter of boiling water. Composition put on fire. Boil a quarter of an hour in a bowl with a lid closed. When the broth has cooled, take it inside to ease coughing 50 ml before meals three times a day. You can also use a hot broth for inhalation.

Note: when preparing raw materials yourself, you need to avoid places near industrial facilities and roads. Medicines prepared from such material are more likely to cause harm, than will have a beneficial effect.

Application in cosmetology

In ancient times, girls often used tartar to refresh their face and hide small defects. Although today women have at their disposal cosmetic products that can cope with the most difficult problem, many still prefer medicinal herbs. Prickly tatarnik in home cosmetology is a recognized favorite, because in his power:

• remove acne;
• cure pustular formations;
• get rid of acne;
• smooth wrinkles;
• refresh the tone of the face.

In short, a healing plant is able to improve and rejuvenate the appearance and even get rid of stretch marks and cellulite.

Recipes that are useful in home cosmetology:

1. Fresh hallock juice will help get rid of pustules on the skin of the face in a few days. To do this, chop fresh leaves with a blender, squeeze the juice. Then moisten the sterile gauze or disc with juice and wipe the face. The procedure is preferably repeated in the morning and evening.
2. Baths with broth from a dry collection from different parts of the tatarn have a positive effect on the skin and nervous system. Usually, after such a procedure there are no problems with falling asleep, and stresses and experiences disappear without a trace. Such hydrotherapy removes the manifestations of cellulite. For one bath, you must first prepare a decoction of 100 g of raw materials and a glass of water. Boil the composition for 15 minutes, then strain and pour into a bath filled with water. The duration of the procedure is half an hour.

The use of tatarnik in cooking

I found a prickly tartar application in cooking. For people accustomed to traditional cuisine, such a gastronomic exotic may seem strange, but the taste of burdock leaves does not differ much from sorrel. True, there is a small bitterness, but it disappears after heat treatment. Tatarnik can be added to the following dishes:

• salads;
• soups;
• vegetable stew;
• meat and fish dishes;
• filling for pies;
• mashed potatoes.

We offer several options for dishes that are popular among fans of natural nutrition.

Summer salad with sorrel

Grocery list:

• boiled eggs - 2 pcs.;
• potatoes - 250 g;
• onion feathers - 50 g;
• tatarnik leaves and sorrel - 50 g each;
• sour cream - 3 tbsp;
• any spices to taste.

How to cook:

1. Boil potatoes, peel, finely chop.
2. Chop eggs.
3. Boil for 10 minutes over medium heat the leaves of tartar. When they cool, finely chop.
4. Cut sorrel and onion too.
5. In a deep bowl, mix all the ingredients, add spices, season the salad with sour cream.

This salad is worth adopting for those who are fighting overweight. The dish is useful for people with weakened immunity.

Spicy Salad with Horseradish

Ingredients:

• garlic - 3-4 teeth;
• lemon juice - 1 tbsp;
• grated horseradish - 50 g;
• leaves of the hall - 250 g;
• sour cream - 4 tablespoons

The algorithm of culinary actions:

1. Boil tatarnik leaves peeled from thorns for 5 minutes, cool, grind in a blender.
2. To the green mass add grated horseradish, chopped garlic, lemon juice.
3. Season the salad with spices, mix well.
4. In order for the dish to fully reveal its taste, put the salad in the refrigerator for 2 hours and only then season with sour cream.

An important point: This salad is good for men as it increases potency.

Tartar fish salad

This dish with an original taste can be served at the festive table. The range of products includes:

• fish fillet (any) - 150 g;
• green onion - 40 g;
• tatarnik leaves - 100 g;
• spice;
• tomato sauce - 2 tablespoons

Cooking process:

1. Boil the fillet in slightly salted water, then cut into cubes.
2. Washed and peeled from the thorns leaves of the rampart for 5 minutes to blanch in boiling water. When the leaves have cooled, finely chop them.
3. Chop the onion.
4. Combine all the components of the salad, mix, add spices.
5. Season the finished dish with tomato sauce.
6. Before serving, garnish with dill and parsley.

The dish looks bright, and its delicate taste is remembered from the first tasting.

Vegetarian Puree

This dish is also popular in certain circles. But even lovers of tasty and satisfying food will not hurt to periodically spend fasting days. It is for such cases that it is worth preparing a gentle puree from the leaves of tatarnik. One serving will require only 100 g of green mass.

In addition to the main component, you also need to prepare:

• garlic - a couple of cloves;
• green onions (feathers) - 50 g;
• vegetable oil (olive) - 1 tsp;
• spices - as desired.

Cooking sequence:

1. After removing the thorns and washing the leaves of the hallow, blanch for 3-5 minutes in boiling water.
2. Grind greens with a blender.
3. Chop the onion, lightly fry.
4. Finely chop the garlic.
5. Now add onion with garlic to the green mass of tatarnik leaves.
6. Season the mashed potatoes with spices, and then serve as a side dish for meat.

In the culinary encyclopedia, you can pick up recipes of any level of complexity with the participation of prickly tartar.But it is easy to see that all recipes use gentle heat treatment methods. This is done so that vitamins and other useful supplements are preserved as much as possible.

Contraindications

Despite such a wide range of applications and a high degree of safety, prickly thistle can not be considered a harmless plant. It contains, albeit in small quantities, but quite dangerous components, for example alkaloids. Depending on the dosage chosen, this group of substances can calm the nervous system or, conversely, excite it. Therefore, not everyone can take even simple decoctions and infusions with prickly thistle. The plant in any form is contraindicated:

• children under 8 years old;
• pregnant and lactating women;
• hypertensive patients;
• persons suffering from depression and neurotic disorders;
• at high temperature;
• in the acute phase of cystitis, hemorrhoids, prostatitis.

But even in the absence of obvious contraindications for use, it is worth consulting a doctor about how and in what form it is better to use tatarnik to improve health.

Each acquaintance leaves a certain impression. After studying the composition and properties of the prickly tatarnik comes the realization that a person is so little acquainted with the outside world. Indeed, even behind the sharp thorns of a wild plant so much is hidden.

Photo of barbed tatarnik